ICT-BASEDTRAINING...

The proper integration of ICT with teaching/learning environment can improve education and increase productivity in the education system. ICT tools can improve the administration and management of school records saving cost and time in processing records. There are three possible approaches for transition from the old/traditional education administration system to a new system with proper integration of ICT, which are:

·Parallel Transition – Introducing the new system while the old system is still working. There is a gradual phasing out of the old system using this approach

·Complete transition – This has to do with complete eradication of the old system in replacement for the new system

·People transition – This involve changing people that handles the manual system into a new team who can handle the ICT driven system.

ICT is a veritable tool which can do the following:

•Reduce service time and learning stress,

•Make data management and analysis easier,

•Enhance academic attendance

When teachers are equipped and updated with the latest technology tools, there would be an improvement in their productivity and efficiency in classrooms.

For example, the old farming tools such as cutlass, hoes, shovels etc, comparing their productivity level to the farmers using modern technologies in farming (such as tractors, harversters etc). The gap will be very wide. The same applies to teachers using the old methodology compared to teachers using the latest digital technology to improve their teaching skills.

USE OF SOCIAL MEDIA FOR TEACHING AND LEARNING:

The “ICT FOR SCHOOLS SUMMIT” was a programme organised by one of the school partners providing school portal services for our school. The main purpose of the programme was to educate schools (administrators, proprietors, teachers and other stakeholders) about the importance of making use of ICT as a viable tool for improving education, learning and administration of education in Nigeria. Also it was an opportunity for different ICT service providers to showcase products beneficial to improving education in schools.

SOCIAL MEDIA AS A TOOL IN EDUCATION AND DEMONSTRATIONS

The focus of this lecture is on the usage of Social Media as a tool for enhancing quality education among learners and establishing good communication and feedback between teachers and student, among students without barrier. It also provides instant pathways for disseminating and enhancing course-related knowledge outside the confines of the traditional classroom.

The speaker emphasized the popularity and increase in social media usage across all age levels and especially among the teenagers (starting from 12 years upward) and the youths in general. He also mentioned that social media is also becoming popular among pupils below the age of 12 but limited because of restriction by some social media operators.

Teachers (in the developed word) also use controlled social media group for passing information across to student and using the platform as a discussion forum for discussing assignment and other academic things that bothers students. The social media has been a tool used in the academics settings to motivate students to participate, share, and learn with other collaborators.

The speaker also explained that the social media can bridge the diversity that exists in classrooms by establishing a neutral zone in which students can interact with one another. It creates a more collaborative and communicative learning environment for students by providing opportunities for discussions and interactions with their peers

The speaker concluded that the use of the social media has several benefits to enhancing and promoting learning among peers when controlled. Such benefits are peer interactions, facilitation of discussion and knowledge transfers, allows for creativity among the students and other benefits. The speaker thus encouraged schools to look into using social media in their schools to facilitate learning among students.

To conclude the lecture, the speaker emphasized that teachers should package themselves very well by regular update. Teachers should not appear as outdate to the students especially on social media matters. They should get familiar with online tools and materials that can help them improve. The e-learning mode of education at DIC provides both staff and students an edge in Secondary school education.